Suspects in standoff identified

January 23, 2013

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) arrested three men--accused of being involved in an incident Monday where shots were fired at a Texas Highway Patrol trooper during a high-speed pursuit--early Tuesday morning in Colorado City.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), assisted by local law enforcement agencies, arrested three men early Tuesday morning in Colorado City after a nearly 10-hour standoff. The men are accused of being involved in an incident Monday where shots were fired at a Texas Highway Patrol trooper during a high-speed pursuit.
â€śWe are pleased this volatile situation ended without injury or loss of life,â€ť said DPS Director Steven McCraw.Â â€śIn addition to the fine work by department personnel, we would like to thank all of our law enforcement partners for their assistance in bringing this incident to a safe and successful conclusion.â€ť
Two suspects from Oklahoma City, Okla. were transported to the Mitchell County Jail and a 16-year-old boy from Edmondson, Okla. was transported to the juvenile facility in Taylor County. Myron McDonald Jr., 22, is being held on charges of attempted capital murder, felon in possession of a firearm and evading arrest.Â Christopher Deshawn Johnson, 24, is being held on charges of attempted capital murder and felon in possession of a firearm.Â Charges are pending against the juvenile suspect.
The incident started early Monday morning when a DPS trooper pulled over a vehicle for driving 109 mph on Interstate 20 in Mitchell County. As the trooper approached the SUV, the driver exited and fired three times at the trooper.Â The suspect re-entered the vehicle and fled eastbound at speeds exceeding 100 mph.Â Shots were fired several times at the trooper during the pursuit.Â Visual of the vehicle was lost briefly, and it was later found abandoned near I-20 on FM 1230 in Nolan County.Â
Later Monday, authorities received information that the suspects were at the 100 block of South Austin Street in Colorado City, and law enforcement surrounded the residence. Nearly 10 hours later, just after midnight Tuesday, DPS SWAT entered the building and took the men into custody without incident.
The Texas Rangers are investigating the incident and their findings will be presented to the Mitchell County District Attorneyâ€™s Office.